TPWD changes hunting and fishing regulations

Teresa Mioli

Published 12:00 am, Friday, April 2, 2010

The Texas Parks and Wildlife Commission approved a short list of changes to hunting and fishing regulations as part of the 2010-2011 Statewide Hunting and Fishing Proclamation. Most of the changes do not affect outdoorsmen in Southeast Texas, but those with leases or boats in other Texas counties should be aware of the changes.

The changes are as follows, according to TPWD:

- open general hunting season for mule deer in Dawson and Wheeler counties, a day added to the mule deer season across the Trans Pecos region.

- a nine-day, buck-only season in Dawson County and a 16-day, buck-only firearm season in Wheeler County and a 35-day archery-only season to offer increased hunter opportunity without adversely impacting mule deer reproduction or distribution

- extra day of hunting for mule deer in the Trans Pecos region is being tacked onto the front end so that the season will now begin the Friday immediately following Thanksgiving and continue for 17 days

- other changes were made to strengthen commercial fishing reporting requirements and administrative reorganization to split the commrecial and recreational hunting and fishing regulations apart, there is also a clarification of rules regarding catching and possessing fish within protected length limits or in excess of bag limits